Settler Colonial Determinants of Indigenous Health

📖 The Scoop

There is a dearth of comprehensive literature relevant to the relationship between settler colonialism and health outcomes of Indigenous peoples residing in the United States (U.S.). Critical analysis of settler colonial determinants of Indigenous health will help to further shape discourse, research priorities, and policy relevant to Indigenous population health and disease distribution. This thesis will bring awareness to settler colonialism, propose relationships between settler colonialism and health outcomes, and identify specific settler colonial determinants of Indigenous health to help guide development and use of nursing theory. This dissertation argues that the structure of settler colonialism threatens and implicates the health of Indigenous peoples residing in colonized nations. The dissertation supports Patrick Wolfe's assertion that settler colonialism is a current-day structure of elimination and will build upon this notion by providing analyses to identify pathways, processes, and determinants of the embodiment of settler colonialism. The project further encourages readers to identify the presence and influence of Eurocentric power relationships between structural and systemic settler colonial determinants and Indigenous peoples, often resulting in oppressive and traumatic experiences. The exposure to exogenous hazards and continual stress and trauma resulting from settler colonialism may lead to high levels of allostatic load and/or epigenetic dysregulation. For example, Indigenous women in particular are affected by settler colonialism which may result in disproportionate maternal health disparities such as high blood pressure during pregnancy. This project will increase understanding and awareness of settler colonialism as a current-day structure and a significant determinant of Indigenous health.

Genre: No Category (fancy, right?)